OVERTIME LOSS IN THE 3C2A SEMIFINALS

The No.1 (south) Fullerton College Hornets lost in overtime to No. 2 (north) College of the Sequoias 71-60 in the 3C2A state tournament semifinal game.

Last season's state champions were looking for their fifth state championship title, which is tied for the most with Riverside City and Cerritos with four. The Hornets played in their 19th state tournament just missing their 10th title-game appearance by mere minutes.

The game began a little rocky for Fullerton as the Giants jumped ahead with a 17-8 lead that was highlighted by Moari Nesbit's deep three-pointer just under the 12-minute mark. The Hornets pulled it together with a 15-5 run to go up by a point (23-22) in the sixth minute. Both teams continued to exchange blows until the halftime buzzer sounded. When the dust cleared, Fullerton was up 33-30.

Both teams came out swinging in what was a physical second half. Neither team flinched as they kept within a bucket of each other for a majority of the half. Fullerton managed to eek out some breathing room at 51-47 with a minute left, but COS pulled within a point (51-50) from a trey by Nesbit. With 7 seconds to go, FC's RJ Banks split a couple of free throws giving his team a two-point lead. With time running out, Jose Cuello tossed a desperate mid-range shot from his shoulder and nailed with as time ran out.

Tied 52-52, the game was pushed into overtime. COS hit the first two buckets grabbing a 56-52 lead, but Fullerton did not back down as Jeremiah Davis drove the lane and was fouled as the ball went through the hoop. He hit the "and-one" free throw and the Hornets trailed it 56-55. Another Nesbit jumper and a layup by Alex Argander pushed the Giants up 60-55, but the Hornets hit back with a three by Amound Anderson II. The Giants had more in the tank scoring on their next two possessions, while Fullerton had a hard time getting shots off or penetrating the key. With just over 30 seconds left in OT, Seqouias owned a 69-60 advantage dashing Fullerton's mission of a back-to-back state championship.

Jeremiah Davis was the game's scoring leader with 22 points, had 3 rebounds, and 3 steals. Amound Anderson II, JQ Strong and Jaden Byers all put up 9 points.

It was another exciting and successful season for the Hornets, who were three-peat Orange Empire Conference champions. The Hornets were ranked in the top five throughout the season ultimately finishing as the No. 2 team in the state rankings. Fullerton was also tabbed as the No. 1 team in the south for the state playoffs. Locking down a 20-win season is also another major feat- the team has done 8 straight seasons. Head Coach Perry Webster also notched his 200th victory this year in 8 seasons, which is the fastest in school history.

*Photo by Jim McCormack